Avtodor defeated MBA on the road – 80:77 (25:18, 19:15, 17:20, 19:24).
Game progress
In the middle of the first quarter Dmitriy Khaldeev, Dusan Beslac and Vasilije Pusica allowed the Saratov team to take the lead. Rayshawn Hammonds’ actions in the second quarter helped the Volga team increase the lead by the halftime – 44:33.
MBA used the halftime in a right way. Vasily Karasev team made an 11-3 run at the beggining of the third quarter. However, the Moscow team performance didn’t last long: Aleksandr Petenev, Pusitsa and Beslac stabilized Avtodor lead before the fourth quarter – 61:53.
In the fourth quarter, MBA managed to organize another comeback. Daniil Kasatkin and Andrey Lopatin allowed the hosts to get closer to the opponents. A 1.5 befote the end, MBA trailed by 5 – 70:75.
Key moment
Unfortunately, MBA lacked time to save the game. Beslac and Khaldeev made important shots, even after Timfey Yakushin three-pointer, the Saratov team got hte win – 80:77.
X-factor
MBA important rotation players Evgeniy Minchenko and Aleksandr Khomenko performed poorly today. Both are averaging more than 20 minutes, 8.9 and 7.8 points. The center and guard combined for 0-of-3 from the game with no points scored today.
Fact
Avtodor announced the signing of Brandon Garrett on Tuesday. The American forward played 28 games for the Saratov team last season, averaging 11.2 points and 5.5 rebounds. In the summer Garrett signed a contract with Hapoel Galil Elyon. Garrett did not appear today, but he promises to strengthen Avtodor in the near future.
Leaders
MBA: Andrey Lopatin (21), Timofey Yakushin (16), Daniil Kasatkin (13), Evgeniy Voronov (11).
Avtodor: Rayshawn Hammonds (18), Vasilije Pusica (13), Sindarius Thornwell (12 + 5 rebounds), Dusan Beslac (11 + 7 rebounds), Dominic Mavra (9 + 6 assists), Dmitriy Khaldeev (8 + 9 rebounds).
What’s next
MBA (5-10): December 9 at home versus Lokomotiv Kuban
Avtodor (6-9): December 10 at home against Uralmash.
